The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill (Bill) introduced to the New Zealand Parliament in February of this year amends the Copyright Act 1994 (Act) to provide new enforcement measures against the unauthorised sharing of copyright material via the Internet. Remedies available include fines of up to $15,000 and temporary suspension of Internet accounts. The latter remedy, in particular, continues to generate controversy.

Despite the best efforts of brand owners, customs authorities and enforcement agencies, the numbers relating to global counterfeiting remain mind boggling. Data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development indicates that international trade in counterfeit and pirated goods grew to more than $250 billion in 2008 (almost 2% of world trade) up from $200 billion in 2007.